Patent US4192037A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4192037A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wheel-scrubbing mechanism for vehicle-washing apparatus
Assignee: Ceccato SpA
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Filing: 1978-08-15
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Granted: 1980-03-11
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Expires: 1998-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A portal frame of a vehicle-washing station, carrying cylindrical brushes for scrubbing the body of a vehicle moving relatively to that frame, supports a pair of oppositely disposed wheel-cleaning units with respective rotary brushes confronting the sides of the vehicle at the level of its wheels. Each wheel-cleaning unit comprises a feeler, normally retracted, which at the beginning of a traverse is extended into the path of the proximal wheel pair to sense the arrival of the leading wheel in a scrubbing position. The feeler then causes the arrest of the main drive and the advancement of the associated wheel-scrubbing brush into contact with the vehicle wheel so positioned; the same happens with the wheel-cleaning unit at the opposite side. During this operation the feeler is again retracted; when relative motion of the vehicle and the portal frame resumes, the feeler is again extended to repeat the aforedescribed procedure with the trailing vehicle wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Uberto Capra
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:06
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/04; B60S3/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In an apparatus for washing a wheeled vehicle, including a support movable relatively to a vehicle to be washed and provided with body-scrubbing means, the combination therewith of at least one wheel-cleaning unit on said support comprising: rotary wheel-scrubbing means normally laterally retracted from the path of relative vehicle motion; reciprocable transport means linking said wheel-scrubbing means with said support; normally withdrawn feeler means extendible across the course of a vehicle wheel to be scrubbed; actuating means programmed to extend said feeler means upon the approach of said vehicle wheel during relative displacement of said support and said vehicle; and switch means triggerable by said feeler means in an extended position thereof, upon contact with said vehicle wheel, for activating said wheel-scrubbing means and commanding said transport means to advance said wheel-scrubbing means into operative engagement with said vehicle wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In an apparatus for washing a wheeled vehicle, including a support movable relatively to a vehicle to be washed and provided with body-scrubbing means, the combination therewith of at least one wheel-cleaning unit on said support comprising: rotary wheel-scrubbing means normally laterally retracted from the path of relative vehicle motion; reciprocable transport means linking said wheel-scrubbing means with said support; normally withdrawn feeler means extendible across the course of a vehicle wheel to be scrubbed; actuating means programmed to extend said feeler means upon the approach of said vehicle wheel during relative displacement of said support and said vehicle; and switch means triggerable by said feeler means in an extended position thereof, upon contact with said vehicle wheel, for activating said wheel-scrubbing means and commanding said transport means to advance said wheel-scrubbing means into operative engagement with said vehicle wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said feeler means comprises a rigid member connected with said actuating means via a limitedly yieldable spring-loaded coupling, said switch means being in a normal condition upon said feeler means occupying its withdrawn position, said member coacting with said switch means for establishing an off-normal condition thereof upon displacement into said extended position and for restoring said normal condition upon deflection by said vehicle wheel against the loading force of said coupling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said member is a rod lying generally parallel to said path in said withdrawn position and generally perpendicular to said path in said extended position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising control means operable by said switch means for arresting said relative displacement and withdrawing said feeler means prior to said operative engagement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination defined in claim 4, further comprising sensing means responsive to a return of said wheel-scrubbing means to its retracted position for initiating a resumption of said relative displacement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination defined in claim 5 wherein said wheel-scrubbing means comprises a brush on a horizontal shaft transverse to said path, drive means for rotating said shaft, and a carriage movable on said support by said transport means in the direction of said shaft, said drive means and said brush being mounted on said carriage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination defined in claim 6 wherein said transport means comprises a fluidically actuatable jack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said support is a portal frame straddling said path, said wheel-scrubbing means being alignedly duplicated on opposite sides of said portal frame for joint activation by said switch means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-03-11 | 1983-09-10 | 1984-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-03-11 | 1987-09-10 | 1988-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-03-11 | 1991-09-10 | 1992-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |